Coventry Know What To Expect From Magpies

By David Richardson

Coventry City are under know illusions as to how testing their FA Cup tie against Maidenhead United will be on Sunday.

United manager Alan Devonshire is a man who knows what it’s like to lift the prestigious trophy at Wembley after he assisted Sir Trevor Brooking’s winning goal to upset Arsenal in the 1980 final.

They last reached the first round in 2015 where they took then League One side Port Vale to a replay before losing 3-1 in front of the BT Sport cameras.

Maidenhead were one of the 15 original entrants into the first ever FA Cup competition which took place in 1871-72.

Coventry have their own history, good and bad, winning the competition in 1987 but also suffering that famous upset at Sutton United - and manager Mark Robins doesn't want another one.

"We have done some different things this week," he said. "They have been paintballing. They have done all sorts of things together so it has been a different week which I like leading into an FA Cup tie because it is a different competition with a different feel.

"We are playing on Sunday too, so that is different. This is a good stern test for us. It will not bea easy at all because Maidenhead have a way of playing that suits them and they will try to make it as difficult as they can for us.

He added: "On the flipside of that we want to make it just as difficult for them. They are a different oposition but Alan has been doing it for a longtime. He has a reputation for playing good football and he uses well what he has at his disposal.

"They have a long throw-in taker. I do not think I can kick the balll as far as their man can throw it! It is a tough challenge and the players know what to expect and understand what the challenges are.

"I want to do well in this competition. Lincoln last season did fantastically and got a promotion aswell. The games came thick and fast for them so there is a benchmark for us."

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